Bicycle-lock



(No Model.)

A. P. MBRRILL.

BIGYGLE LOOK.

No. 337,183. Patented Mar. 2, 1886.

NITED STATES PATENT FFICE. V

BlCYCLE-LOCK.

SPEC1FICATION fo1ming part of Letters Patent No. 337,183, d'ated Mar oh 2. 1886i Application filed December 21, 1885. Serial N0.'186,231. (No model.)

T0 (ZZ whom z'zf may concern:

Be it known that I, ANSON P. MERRILL, of Fall River, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bioycle-Locks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompauying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification. A

My invention relatos to devices for looking together the wheels of a bicycle or other velocipede,or for looking either of the wheels to any permanent object, and has for its object to furnish a neat portable device, which the rider may carry in the pocket or tool-bag, and thus always have ready for use.

My invention consists in the improved device which l shall now proceed to fully describe, the specific points of novelty in which will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawiugs, Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a bicycle having my improved device applied to the wheels thereof. Fig. 2 is an elevation of my improved lock, having the key insertedand showing its open position in full lines and closed position in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a similar view, one Side of the box or central tube being removed, and the lockingspring being thrown out of engagement by the key. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section through the device in its closed, locked position. Fig. 5 is a similar view in its open position, and Fig. 6 shows the key.

Like letters of reference mark the same parts wherever they occur in the several figures.

Referring specifically to the drawings by letters, A is the large or main wheel of au ordinary bicycle, and B the small wheel.

The other parts of the bicycle, being of ordinary construction and having no relation to or effect upon my invention, will not be specifically described, but only incidentally mentioned.

C represents my improved looking device, Which is composed of two end books, D and E, a central tube or box, F, and a lookingspring, G, the central tube, looking-spring, and end hook E being secured together in proper operative position by means of a rivet or other equivalent fastening device, H. A

The main body of the end hook D is of a proper size to fit snugly and slide in the tube F, and is provided with a slot, l, and a hook, J, with the former of which the end hook ot'the looking-spring G engages when the device is in its closed, locked position, as shown in Fig. 4. When the deviceis in its open,un locked position, the hook J serves to prevent the entire withdrawal of the endhook D from the tube F, as shown in Fig. 5, by coming in contact with the end hook of the lookingspring. The forward or inner end of this end hook D and the portion thereof immediately in front of the slotI are beveled or inclined, so that the end hook of the looking-spring will ride overthem and properly engage the slot I and hook J automatically when the end hook is slid into the tube. The inner end of the end hook E fits in one end of the tube F, leaving sufficient space on one side for the inserti on of the looking-spring G. A key-hole, K, is formed in one side of the tube F, to re oeive a proper key, L, which, when inserted, is in positionto engage, when turned, with the inner side of the looking-spring G and throw it against the side of the tube, as shown in Fig. 3, disengaging its looking-hook from the slot I, and leaving the end hook D free to be removed or partially removed from the tube, as may be desired.

When it is desired to lock any two parts together by means of my device, the end'hooks are drawn sufficiently far apart to give room enough between their ends to pass them over the portions to be locked together, and when so engaged the books are pressed toward each other until the lockingspring, as before described, automatically engages the notch I, bringing the parts into the secure locked p0- sition shown in Fig. 4, where they will remain until unlocked by the key.

The importance of a device of this kind to riders of bicycles or other wheels will be readily observed. The different parts maybe finished by nickel-plating, enameling, or otherwise,to correspond with the finish of the wheel,

IOO

and a thoroughly-efiective device is sufliciently small to be carried in the vest-pocket, if desired, there being no necessity of having it weigh more than an ounce. It is always ready for use, easily manipulated, effective in operation, and can be made at a very reasonable cost. By its use the rider is enabled to prevent unauthorized use or carrying off of his machine from the place of deposit, as he may, as before stated,and shown in Fig. 1, lock the two wheels together, so that they cannot turn, or lock any part of his machine to a rigid object.

Having thus fully described the construc tion and operation of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A bicycle-lock consisting, essentially, of two open-end hooks adapted to slide toward or from each other, and a looking-spring for securing them in a locked position, as set forth.

2. In combination, the end books, central tube, and looking-spring, the end book Dhaving notch I, and the looking-spring being secured to the end book E, as set forth.

-3. In combination, the end hook E, central tube, F, and looking-spring G, rigid1y seen red together, and the end hook D, having slot I and book J, and adapted to slide within the central tube, as set forth.

4. In combination, the end hook E, central tube, F, lockingspring G, rivet H, and end hook D, having slot I and hook J, the central tube being provided with a suitable keyholc, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereunto affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

ANSON P. MERRILL. Vitnesses:

J. M. SHEPARD, Jr.,

JEREMIAH G. RILEY. 

